Coin of Antiocheia Pisidiae under Philip I, the Arab c. 3th century

Curator: Here we have a fascinating artifact: a coin from Antiocheia Pisidiae, minted under Philip I, also known as Philip the Arab. Editor: It's tiny! And so worn. The surface speaks to so much handling, exchange, a whole material history embedded right there. Curator: Exactly! Consider this coin's journey. Minted in a Roman colony, likely using locally sourced metals and labor. What power dynamics were at play? Editor: The coin's imagery surely broadcast Roman authority, even in a distant province. Who was being excluded? What message did it send? Curator: The production of coinage was tightly controlled. We must think about the systems that allowed this object to exist and circulate. Editor: This coin is more than mere money. It served as a form of propaganda, a marker of Roman presence, and a little artifact that shows the culture back then. Curator: Absolutely. Examining the materials and its creation reveals a story that helps understand the processes and life back then. Editor: Reflecting on its age and journey, it shifts how I perceive value. The coin's value far exceeds monetary worth.